The National tribune., 1887-01-13

ou,oH4 pOunds bacon.
o Dusheis Deans -
5000 pounds -
l,S0 a
1920 coffee. l6
llsaO mixed vegetables ............ ...... ~
S6Sl dcsiccated potatoes. ................... 81
IS salt
2s5 gallons vinegar.
lsignedD q. NJ ADAMS,
Commissary of Subsistence, u. 5. A.
The only practicable line Of retreat lay
through a desolste, barren country, destitute of
food and often Of water for a distance of 30 or
40 miles. The weather was hot, and the suffer-
ing Of the men from hunger aud thirst was
great. Capt. Lyon, who understood the topog-
raphy Of the country, having formerly been
Deputy Surveyor General of Kentucky,
thought the chosen route would be impracti-
cable for artillery and wagons. These were es-
sential, however, and Gen. Morgan decided TO
attempt il. From the moment of the adjourn
ment Of the council every minute was i'm
proved, and the preparations for the famous
retreat were rapidly and quietly made. A large
train of wagons, conveyed by the 33d Ind,
started toward Manchester during the night of
Sept l6, accompanied, also, by the 9th Ohio
battery.
While preparations were progressing for de-
parture from Cumberland Gap Gen. Morgan
conceived plan 10 throw the enemy on the
I Tennessee front Off his guard. The strategy
sent Leut.-Col. Gallup to the rebel line on the
18th under flag Of truce with box of fine
/ cigars and a bottle of Kentucky sour-mash
copper-distilled whisky" These welcome ac-
compartments Of the flag Of truce struck the
rebels in a weak spot. They soon became ex-
] tremely social and convivial. While Gallup,
with fine tact and exquisite diplomacy was re-
/ calling the enemy with cigars and whisky, and
skilltully throwing him off the scent, some
fhnnphflagC hpp u1 al cgfa IN hp
1 Quartermaster's establishment. The flames OF
the burning building could not be seen from
the point where Gallup and the Confcderates
were having gala time over the cigars and
whisky, the view being shut off by Poor Valley
4 Ridge, which rises abruptly from the valley and
extends entirely across it at the base Of the
4 Gap. This ridge shut of the view Of the flames
\ from them as stated, but they noticed dense
! clouds OF smoke rising from the burning build
! ings, which aroused the suspicious of the rebel
truce party, and they remarked upon it. Gal
! lup's tact, however, was
EQUAL TO THE EMERGENCY.
! he allayed the rebels suspicion by assuring
/ them that the smoke arose from the mountain
I side, where some parties were burning brush.
They were thus completely thrown of their
guard by the shrewdness Of Col Gallup and
turned again TO discuss the merits Of SpIitu,
JrUmeai and cigars
Two narrow roadways pass through Poor Val
/ ley Ridge east and west and north and south
These Col. Gallup held and guarded most Of the
night with but 200 men. In the night Spear.
went with his brigade and Fosters battery tc
/ the north side Of the mountain and formed 3
/ line Of battle with section Of artillery between
each two regiments facing toward Baptisi
Gap, Leadbetter having passed the mountain al
Big Creek Gap on the 10th and 18th OF Septem
ber, and placed his brigade ia ambush 10 com
i A. Il
/ ordered 70 hold his position until Morgan's en-
tire command had passed toward Cumberland
Ford.
The outwitted enemy at length began dimly
TO suspect that something was wrong in thi
Yankee camp. The suspicion dawned upor
their minds that Morgan had left his bul
warks and was in full retreat toward Cumber
land Ford. A rebel picket was thrown forwarC
in the narrow roads guarded by Gallup ant
was met by whitening fire from Gallup's de
tachment, when il retired in great haste. A
10 o'clock at night Carter's and Baird's Brigade
passed the Gap. The night was intensely darl
and the descent Of the mountain slow, Difficult
and dangerous, but the passage down wa
lighted by the red glow Of the burning build
ings. On the south side of the Gap the roai
was mined and as soon as the last regiment Q
MOrgan's Division had got fairly started. tn
mines were exploded by Capt Pattison Of th
and, with a terrific crash, the magazine wa
lifted into the air and all the buildings wen
up in fame and smoke.
The Gap had been evacuated for some hour
before Stevenson dared TO enter and occupy i
fearing the mines which gave Morgan ampl
time TO march out in perfect security and i
excellent order The column and trai
stretched out over a distance OF five or 81
miles along the Valley road, the rear of tn
column covered by Col. Gallup's gallant littl
band and few troopers. BY morning the arm
was we'll on its way toward Manchester.
One Of the most remarkable things connecte
with the retreat from Cumberland Gap is th
fact that before leaving the Gap Gen. horga
had taken map OF Kentucky aud With re
chalk marked out his line Of retreat, aud he di
not deyiate from that line
A SINGLE INCH
from Cumberland Gap TO the Ohio River. Fro
Flat Lick 20 miles from the Gap, the poil
reached the first nights march, the colum
moved on two parallel roads along the vale,
of Goose and Sinking Creeks in a southwes
erly direction, and arrived at Manchester Z
the night Of Sept l9. The Confederate cavali
] in pursuit now harassed the little army
rear and flank and at one time made swoC
upon the train, desperately bent on its ca
ture. Col. Cooper. who was guarding the trai
met the attack with courage and address al
repulsed it.
On the march Of retreat Morgan's DivisiC
halted four full days-one day at Manchest
10 organize, one day at Hazel Green TO gi'
Baird and Spears time 10 como up, and two da
! nc West Liberty 10 await an attack of the en-
my concentrated at Mt Sterling The enen
here expected was Kirby Smiths army,
which was added the division of Humphr'
Marshall. Gen. Morgan anticipated meetiI
the enemy either at West Liberty, where |
line of march 10 Grayson could have been cut
e at Proctor, where his position would have be
S, almost imp-egnabie in consequence of Z
il hight and abruptness Of the banks Of the Ke
n tncly River. From some cause which &c
rs Morgan has never understood the enemy d
rs not meet him at either point.
ID short time before leaving Manchester {
al division witnessed a sad spectacle, which left
deep impression upon the minds Of the sOldie
Vi u was the execution Of soldier Of the Z
~ KY. named Siivers, who, under the influence
le iniOxicaiion while at cards quarreled with o
rs of his messmates and killed him with his mi
be ket. court martial was convened for his IL
- at 8 O'Clock the next morning; one hour lal
10 the unfortunate man was sentenced 10 be 81
le 10 death by muskctry at o'clock in the aft
noon Of the same day. The division was
start on It's march AZ la the evening, and
Da the hour appointed DE eCOurcey's Brigade form
ld a hollow square around a shallow grave In
a. open field. Then came several files Of soldi,
- escorting the condemned man, followed by
,lr old farm wagon bearing a rough box rud,
be- colored with preparation Of lampblack. II
= ominous looking box was placed beside I
A. grave, when the death warrant was read a
rv the condemned mans eyes covered, he
AT KEEELIHG UPON HIS COFFIN.
be The firing squad. detail Of l2 men from